Their sixth peer is former armed forces minister Sir Archie Hamilton. The Lib Dem nominations include former international development spokesman Jenny Tongue - who was fired from the front bench by Charles Kennedy for comments appearing to sympathise with Palestinian suicide bombers.

Former party chief whip Sir Archie Kirkwood also becomes a peer, as does veteran MP Paul Tyler, who was the party's spokesman on House of Commons matters.

Ex-Eastleigh Lib Dem MP David Chidgey, an industry spokesman for the party, and former Cheltenham MP Nigel Jones - hurt in an horrific sword attack which left a colleague dead - complete the party's new Lords.

The Government has proposed changes to the way the Lords scrutinises legislation, suggesting a 60-day limit on the amount of time a measure can be debated in the Upper House.

But it has yet to come forward with any plans to complete the modernisation of the Lords.

Although today's list will boost Labour's standing, Prime Minister Tony Blair is braced for more battles with the Upper House over controversial measures such as ID cards.